James 1:2-3

Verse of the Day: James 1:2-3

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” – James 1:2-3 

Paul says something here that seems to run contrary to the way most people think.  Count it all ‘joy’ when we experience trials?  This does not come naturally.  It is much easier to be sad and downcast.  However, it is important to see that the joy is not because we are suffering, but because of the strength that comes from patience.  And as Paul said, “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance”.

God allows us to go through trials to build up our endurance so that we can remain steadfast in our walk; to stand against those things contrary to God and His ways.   The more we see God bringing us through these tough times, the more endurance we will have to stay true to Him no matter what we face.  And we will need this endurance as anti-Christian attitudes continue to grow as we get closer to His return.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries, Inc.

Matthew 7:3

Verse of the Day Devotion Matthew 7:3  

“And why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?” – Matthew 7:3

Over the next week or two, we will be looking at the various parables Jesus told His disciples.  Today we will look at the Parable of The Speck and the Log found in Matthew 7. Here is the parable.

“And why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?  Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye?  You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:3-5.  

Before telling them this parable, Jesus was speaking to His disciples and told them “Do not judge lest you be judged.” Matthew 7:1.  The phrase ‘ do not judge’ refers to the passing of harsh, adverse verdicts on the conduct of our others; it does not forbid the use of our best critical thinking, which may be done in a spirit of tolerance and helpfulness and which Jesus elsewhere commands as a help to others. “And if your brother sins, go and reprove him in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother.” Matthew 18:15.  And it also does not mean “don’t think”. The verb is used not only generally of passing a verdict, but specifically of passing an adverse verdict, condemning, and it is this that Jesus is forbidding.  And he adds the following telling them why they should not judge improperly. “For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:2.

Jesus now illustrates the foolishness of most judgmentalism with the hyperbole of the speck and the log. He is clearly not concerned about literal pieces of foreign matter in people’s eyes but about his followers’ moral failures. “And why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?” Matthew 7:3. The meaning is not that in every case the person passing judgment is a worse sinner than the one he criticizes. It is rather that what he finds wrong in his brother is a very small matter compared with the sin God sees in him.  It is easy to see the sins in another or to hear of the sin in another and look down upon the person referred but not admit the sin we have. It only takes one sin to become a sinner. In effect, He is addressing the issue of hypocrisy, looking, and judging the sins of others while ignoring our own. Also, such behavior is another example of hypocrisy  especially when we treat fellow believers badly whose sins God has already forgiven.

Now, verse five makes clear that the above verses do not absolve us of responsibility to our brothers and sisters in Christ. On the contrary, once we have dealt with our own sins, we are then in a position to gently and lovingly restore others who have erred and sinned.  “You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:5.  We are to help our brothers and sisters grow in the Lord, and in doing the work He has called us to.  But we must not ignore the weaknesses we have and the logs in our eyes.  We must always address our sins, asking forgiveness for them so that we can be ready to help our fellow Christians with their sins when needed.   

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

Psalm 133:1

Verse of the Day Devotion: Psalm 133:1

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!” – Psalm 133:1   

David here is declaring that it is a very good thing that we live together in unity.  Throughout history, unity is a pleasant and beautiful thing.  That we are in unity with our brothers and sisters brings peace and satisfaction.  For through unity we have peace and contentment.  It is good in itself, not just bringing about good results.  It is pleasing to God and consistent with His will for us.  Notice that it is both good and pleasant.  Joseph Benson in his commentary on the psalms has the following observation.  “Many things are good which are not pleasant, and many pleasant which are not good. But unity among brethren, whether civil or religious, is productive both of profit and pleasure.”  I believe we can all think of situations that are either one or the other, but not both.  However, it is living together in unity that brings both good and pleasant conditions which is a wonderful way of life.

So, who are the brethren?  In the time of David it was Israel, for they were all descendants of Abraham.   And I believe that the proselytes, those who were not Abraham’s descendants but became followers of God and the law by denying their former lives along with their gods, are included in this as well.  For, in essence they were adopted into Judaism.  Today, it is the corporate Church, the Body of Christ.  It is all the people of God, all the followers of Christ our Redeemer, for we are all a part of the Body of Christ and have the same Father.  We should all be unified in God’s Word.  What He has spoken to us, we all should live by, and not attempt to put our own interpretation based on modern culture.  Paul appealed to the church in Corinth regarding this.  “Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.” 1 Corinthians 1:10.  Paul understood that though we may not exactly agree on every subject, but we must strive to present a unified message.  We may disagree on some minor points, but we should not allow these differences to create divisions within the body. 

And this is accomplished by us loving each other at all times.  “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” Colossians 3:12-14.  Notice the last part.  We must all put on love, because love perfectly bonds us together in unity.  Lack of love can be a recipe for arguments and division.  And there is a very specific reason why this is so important, especially in this modern age. 

“I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.” John 17:20-23.  Jesus is saying hear that we are to be one in Christ because He and the Father reside in us.  And because of this, we, being in unity with them can be in unity with each other.  And why is that important?  Note the last part of verse 23.  “so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.” In essence, so that the world will see our unity and love, and thus believe themselves that this word must be true and accept it.  And is that not our calling in this world?

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.